A Requiem for Innocence
Chapter Five

That night at home, as Yugi got ready for bed, Yami came out to talk to him.

"How's your face?" He asked, sitting down on the edge of the fold-out couch mattress as Yugi curled up under the covers.

"It's fine."

"And your shoulder?"

"Fine too. Really Yami, I'm not hurt." He looked amused by this treatment.

Yami looked away. "I know…I just worry about you is all. I shouldn't…you can take care of yourself perfectly well."

"It means a lot to me, that you care about me."

"How could I do anything less for the one that took a beating just to stand up for me?" Yami asked, teasing him.

"Good point." Yugi laughed.

"So, you're not angry, right?"

"Angry about what?"

"About me kissing you. I mean, the first night I kissed you. If I hadn't, you'd probably be at home and be miserable, but you never would have fought with your parents if it hadn't been for me. I know how important you esteem them in your mind, and I never meant to have to tarnish that."

"I'd rather be here with you with an uncertain future, than be at home and be miserable." Yugi said matter-of-factly. "What's done is done. We've got to make the most of it. And I happen to be really, really glad that you kissed me that night. It's nice to be able to have happiness in my life like this before I have to leave. The last week has been great, hanging out with you and my friends and just enjoying life."

"I'm glad you've had a good time." Yami smiled and bent over to kiss him before getting up and switching off the living room lights. "Have a good night's sleep, Yugi, and sweet dreams."

"Sweet dreams, Yami."

Some weeks later, Yugi's mother arrived at their apartment one morning, to be met at the door by a rather disgruntled Yami, whom had been interrupted while washing dishes and had soap suds up to his elbows. Narrowing his eyes, he asked curtly, "Yes?"

She took a step back upon recognizing the person that had looked dangerously close to killing her husband the last time they met. Yami wasn't pleased to see her either, as she was one of the people taking Yugi away. But, however, he didn't classify Yugi's mother in quite the same low aspect as he did his father, and motioned as politely as he could without flinging soap suds for her to step inside.

"Yugi's in the shower, he'll be out in a minute." He informed her in a clipped voice, and busied himself with dunking a perfectly clean plate in the sink, and scrubbing away at it with a purpose. Now that she was in his house, he was starting to feel a sort of resentment against her after all. After the way her husband had treated Yugi, his own son…

She looked around nervously, but seemed to relax upon seeing the couch bed still unmade and Yugi's possessions strewn around it. Sitting down at the table, she bravely made an attempt at conversation:

"So, Mr. Atemu…er…Yami, how long have you…played cards?"

"Awhile."

"Does it pay well?"

"I could retire right now if I wanted to. But I like the game. I've bought almost all my cards at the Game Shop. I was trying to talk Yugi into giving me a discount when he became the owner…but I guess that won't happen for awhile now."

She looked uncomfortable and cast about for a new subject. "So…how's Yugi doing?"

"He's fine. The bruise on his face went away after a few days."

She fell back into embarrassed silence again for a moment. "I'm awfully sorry about that…I hadn't thought he'd go so far."

"You're really lucky Yugi wasn't hurt. Because if he had been, I might have had to kill your husband. And then you too, for being a witness and all."

She scooted back in her chair. With his back to her, Yami laughed to himself. As guilty as it was, this made for great stress therapy.

Yugi walked into the room then, fluffing his hair, his face looking damp and flushed from the hot water of his shower. "Yami, we're-" he then caught sight of the nervous-looking woman sitting in the chair. "Oh…hi Mom."

"Good morning, Yugi." She replied, looking relieved to see him.

"What was it you were saying, Yugi?" Yami asked.

"We're out of shampoo. Mom…what're you doing here?"

She unfolded a piece of paper and held it out toward him. "We have the date set. The plane to America leaves next Saturday. Not this Saturday, but the next one, at 1:00 in the afternoon. We can come pick you up, if you like."

"Yami will give me a ride."

"Of course…well, you'd better arrive at noon, anyway. We'll wait for you outside the parking terminal. You can have one carry-on and two cargo luggages…the new house is in Los Angeles, in California, and we've already shipped your things from the house. The school said they have a tutor set up for you for the first few months for learning English. But they also said they have plenty of Japanese students already, so it should be easy for you to make friends. The house is really nice…I'm sure you'll like it." She kept casting nervous glances toward Yami as she said this.

Yugi raised an eyebrow and took the paper with the information, but said nothing.

His mother lingered for a few moments, then said she really ought to be on her way, and left. Yugi turned to Yami and demanded, "What did you tell her? She looked as if she'd just heard there was a sniper loose outside."

"Nothing but the truth." Yami said innocently, still scrubbing the plate.

"Okay, first of all, you've been washing that plate since I got in the shower, and second, just how truthful did you get?"

Yami merely smiled at him with his best "little-innocent-me" look, till Yugi dissolved into giggling and gave up trying to get an answer.

"So…it's really happening." Yami finally said a few minutes later, dropping into a solemn mood.

"Yeah…in a little over a week."

"I can't believe it."

"I can." He sounded a bit gloomy.

"Are you going to be okay?" Yami asked, sounding concerned.

Yugi looked at the paper for a long time, then looked up. "Yeah…I'm going to be okay. Don't worry."

And Yugi was okay, up until Friday night. Yami had stayed up talking to him for a long time, wished him good-night, and given him an extra long kiss, knowing that this would be the last night he'd get to. He'd then retreated to his room to watch TV for a few moments, and was now laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, not really seeing a whole lot. That was when he noticed movement at his door. Slowly it opened, and Yugi appeared in it, whispering,

"Yami? Are you awake?"

He sat up. "Yugi, what is it?"

"Yami, I…" he walked across the room and put his arms around Yami's neck, hugging him and not finishing the sentence.

"Yugi, is everything all right?" He asked, expecting to hear Yugi reply that he was fine, and expecting to spend the next ten minutes forcing Yugi to admit whatever was bothering him. But instead, Yugi shook his head and replied, his voice cracking,

"No…no, it's not."

"That's understandable." Yami replied gently.

"I don't want to leave, Yami."

"I know."

"I really don't. The idea of leaving scares me."

"It's okay, Yugi, it's okay to be scared." Yami whispered soothingly, rubbing his back. "You're leaving the place you've lived all your life, and all your old friends, and your grandpa, whom you've lived with forever, to move to a new country…anyone would be scared."

"And I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too, Yugi. I'll think about you every day."

"Me too…but we'll write to each other, right?"

"To hell with writing! I'm going to get a computer and ask Tea and Marik to leave their place for once and help me set it up so that we can e-mail a million times a day."

Yugi laughed softly. "Wow…I must be really important for you to actually risk interrupting them. I'm warning you, Tea has a strong arm, she might slap you."

"There's no one more important than you, and it's worth the risk."

"Thank you…Yami, I have a favour to ask of you."

"Go ahead."

Yugi paused. "But I'm afraid it'll make you mad."

"I won't be."

"You're sure?"

"I'm pretty sure. There's no harm in asking, is there?"

"You're right. I was just wondering if…if I could stay in here with you tonight."

"You mean…?" Yami trailed off. They had, as Yugi had told-or tried to tell-his parents various times, come to an unspoken agreement that they would not sleep together and furthermore, would not succumb to lust. They'd agreed to this partially so that they'd have a true case when they told Yugi's parents as such, partially because when people are in bed together, they tend to end up saying and agreeing to things that they regret later, and mostly to avoid any further emotional attachments to each other that would make leaving harder. Of course, that didn't mean that they hadn't both thought about breaking the agreement at some point during the last two months. They'd thought about it quite a lot, in fact. But Yugi was just the first to bring it up.

"Yes." Yugi was quiet for a moment, then explained quickly, embarrassed, "I mean, tomorrow…I'm going to go off to America with my parents, right? And I'll end up doing what they want me to do, at least till I'm eighteen and probably afterwards, knowing them. I'm going to become theirs, have to bide by their rules, do what they want me to, become what they want me to become…but tonight, Yami…before it all has to end tomorrow, tonight I just want to be yours and no one else's. I know we had an agreement, but tonight's our last night, and…I want to share it with you before…it's too late to. Does that make sense?"

Yami was silent. Yugi ducked his head. "I knew it, I made you mad."

"No, you didn't. You just surprised me again. You're always doing that. To be honest, I never thought I'd hear you say something so bold." He laughed softly. "But mad? No, I'm not mad at all."

"So…what sort of answer is that supposed to be?"

"Whatever you want, Yugi." He replied, placing his hand over Yugi's. "Tonight should be your night, you're the one that's been hurt the most by all of this."

"I-I want to stay with you." Yugi said, blushing now. "I really do."

Yami smiled gently. "Then don't worry about making me mad. Your friends have tried to tell you this before, and I'm trying to tell you again now…what you want is just as important as what anyone else might want. Besides, I love you. Why would I be mad if you love me back, right?"

"Thanks, Yami. You're so nice to me. I wish I didn't have to move. I want to stay with you…and with all my friends, and my grandpa, and…you."

"I know. It's going to be okay, Yugi. Everything will work out somehow for us, don't worry." As he said this, he laid Yugi back on the bed and ran his hand down Yugi's face; brushed his hair out of his eyes. "Now stop crying, you know how I hate to see you upset. Save your tears for tomorrow. Maybe we can guilt trip your parents."

Despite himself, Yugi laughed. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. You don't need to apologize for anything."

"But-"

"Shhh. Everything's going to be okay." Yami whispered, taking Yugi's hand as he hugged him comfortingly. "Just try to believe that, alright?"

Yugi nodded and rested his head against Yami's chest, the sound of his heartbeat soothing his fears, but also bringing forth the question: "How will I survive without you?"

"Just be yourself, Yugi." Yami kissed him, almost desperately, as his eyes filled with tears and he struggled to reply, "Just be the wonderful person that I know and love, and have faith that we'll be okay in the future. And I know…I swear that everything will work out."

Yugi kissed him back, just as hungrily, unwilling to believe that in the next day, he was going to lose everything. He'd gone almost his whole life without Yami…and now he realized he couldn't see himself facing the rest of his life without him. This thought made him squeeze his eyes shut as he broke away from the kiss and clutched Yami's hand. One night? They shared a bond that very few people ever saw, and yet…two months, and this one night? Was that all they were going to get?

"You promise?" Yugi finally whispered, opening his eyes and reaching to touch Yami's hair, their faces inches apart.

"I promise." Yami replied softly.

And despite the overwhelming obstacles they faced, Yami deep down believed what he was saying, even though he wasn't sure yet what they'd do. There was no way to stop the coming of the next day. It would come, and Yugi would leave…

But for now, they were still together. And whatever the future held wouldn't stop the fact that they loved each other, and wouldn't stop them from hanging on to the last hours. That night they clung together desperately for comfort, trying to fight off each other's own despair; like sailors from a doomed ship holding onto each other, knowing that in the morning they would have to let go and drown.

The next day at noon, Yami and Yugi arrived at the Domino airport, Yugi solemnly quiet, Yami broodingly silent. Yugi's parents almost looked surprised to see them.

"You're on time." was their first comment.

Yami gave them a nasty look. Last night had only served to strengthen his bond with Yugi and he resented them beyond belief for forcing him into leaving. In his life, he'd learned not to force Yugi into things…every time he had, very little good had come from it, and he always ended up learning that Yugi knew what was best. If only his parents would understand that as well…

It was, after all, only his great love and respect for Yugi that kept Yami from phoning up Ryou and Bakura's house, and asking if he could hire Bakura as a hit man. (Which Bakura would likely be delighted to do, provided that Ryou let him, so maybe it was best that he hadn't called?)

"Well, we'd better go check your luggage in, Yugi." They turned their attention to their son, ignoring Yami, and all turned to go back to the line at the desk. Yami reached out to grab Yugi's father by the shoulder.

"Yugi and his mother can check the luggage in." Yami informed him. "I need to talk to you."

"Okay." As the other two walked off, casting curious and somewhat worried looks over their shoulders, Mr. Mutou and Yami remained beside the door. The older man folded his arms. "So, Mr. Duelist, what did you want to say to me?"

Yami held up two fingers. "Two things. First, a request."

"Alright, shoot."

Wish I could. Yami thought scathingly, but kept his voice steady. "I want to ask you…and I really mean this, too…to take good care of Yugi."

Mr. Mutou frowned. "Like I once said to you, I don't know who you think you are, but clearly you've got a high opinion of yourself, and that's not very becoming."

"It's far higher than the opinion I have of you, but that's beyond the point. I love Yugi, and if you're taking him away, you'd better promise to take good care of him."

"We're his parents, Yami. Everything we've ever done for him has been in his best interest."

Yami was struggling to stay calm, reminding himself that not losing his temper would pay off later. "Maybe so, but nonetheless- I'm asking this of you, and you had better agree. I want to be sure that Yugi won't be mistreated."

"Look, I don't know where you get the balls to talk to me this way, but you're really starting to get on my nerves." Yugi's father finally snapped, having had enough of the calm young man that was nearly a carbon copy of his own son. "If it'll get you off my back, fine, I promise to take care of Yugi."

"You'd better mean that." Yami's voice dropped an octave.

"I already told you, he's my son, I've done nothing but take care of him since he was born. I shouldn't have to promise anything like this."

"Yeah, by never coming home to see him, right?" Yami's voice was becoming angry, despite his best efforts. "Even when you could, you didn't, your job was apparently more important than your only son. And hitting him? I suppose you did that for him too?"

"I don't have time for this. What's the second thing?"

Yami took a deep breath. "The second thing, is a warning. I often travel to America for Duel Monsters tournaments. If I ever happen to drop by, and I see Yugi unhappy, there will be hell to pay. And if you ever hit him again, I will come and personally make you pay that hell, do you understand?"

"Do you think you can scare me?"

"No. I don't think I can scare you and I'm not even trying to. But I think that I'm not one for wasting words, and you'd better not blow off these two things as a joke. Yugi means the world to me, and if he is ever mistreated by you again, you will regret it."

The two men glared at each other for a moment in a staring contest of wills. Finally, Yugi's father had to look away from Yami's piercing purple orbs, and scowled, before replying stiffly,

"Well, if you want to talk big, why not realize that in less than an hour, Yugi is boarding that plane with us, and you are staying behind. He will never see you again if I can help it, and all your threats and all your words will mean nothing when you're on opposite sides of the ocean."

Yami's eyes flickered for a moment,and he finally replied, very softly, "We'll see."

They stood in silence for the next fifteen minutes till Yugi and his mother got their luggage issue worked out and returned. The whole group went to sit down in the folding chairs by the window and wait. Yugi remained at Yami's side for the rest of the hour, never letting go of his hand.

Finally everyone began lining up for boarding. Yami placed his free hand on Yugi's shoulder and stared into his eyes. "Well…Yugi…take care of yourself in the US."

Yugi nodded and replied, in a shaky voice, "And you…take care of yourself too. Learn to cook, so you can eat healthy…even without me." He offered a small smile.

Yami smiled back at him. "I will."

"You'll come and visit sometime, right?"

"Of course I will."

Yugi lowered his voice now. "Yami, about last night…I know that lovers say things 'in the moment' all the time…but I want you to know that I meant everything I said, and I don't regret any of it. Please…just don't forget that."

Yami smiled and replied, his voice starting to crack, "I don't regret anything I said either, Yugi. Don't…don't worry about it."

"I'll never forget you, Yami. I'll write to you all the time. And I'll call…and one day, you know…"

"Feel free to call collect, I can pay for it." Yami tucked a strand of hair behind Yugi's ear and let out a long shuddering sigh, taking Yugi in his arms. "Yugi, there's so many…I just…just take care of yourself, Yugi. I love you."

Yugi threw his arms around Yami's neck and hugged him back. "I love you, too."

They hugged for a long time. Finally Yugi's father made an impatient sound in his throat and stared pointedly at the people walking around the airport, as if to say, "Stop looking gay, you two are in public in Japan!"

Yami let go of Yugi and kissed him, not caring about the people. They were in too much of a hurry to notice, and if any of them did, let them making of the hugging and kissing what they would. Screw his reputation...he andYugi deserved a chanceto say good-bye."Safe traveling." He whispered.

Yugi kissed him back for a long moment and then backed away, letting go of his hand. "Good-bye…Yami." He wavered.

"Good-bye." Yami lifted his hand to wave. He kept waving even after Yugi and his family had vanished down the hall to the plane, kept staring out the window even after their plane had lifted off into the sky and vanished in the clouds. Finally he leaned up against the glass, feeling very lonely. Opposite sides of the ocean…his love for Yugi would last it, surely, but…

"That boy was a friend of yours?" Someone behind him asked. He turned to see a woman sitting there. He'd seen her earlier, she was probably waiting for the next flight.

"My one true love." Yami replied quietly, not caring how cliché it sounded, nor volunteering further information. If she'd been watching, the kiss would have explained everything, anyway.

She looked sympathetic. "Well, you know what they say about the ones you love. You have to let them go, and if they come back, then they're yours forever. But if they don't, it was never meant to be."

Yami turned back to the window, staring out at the sky with his palm pressed against the glass. "Not always." He replied, almost to himself. "Sometimes, they might really want to come back…but they can't. And what do you do then? If you've made a promise to them…that everything will be okay…what do you do? How can you keep it…while letting them go…and risking never seeing them again?"

The woman looked confused.

Yami knew the answer to his question, of course. He'd thought of it last night. Yugi had fallen asleep, but Yami'd remained awake, his arms wrapped around Yugi's shoulders, staring sadly into his sleeping face and thinking about stuff. And he'd thought, for a long time, how could they escape their future and win in a fight where prejudice ruled the opposing side? No matter how much they loved each other, they were still both guys, and Yugi's parents still wouldn't understand. He doubted they ever would.

He'd thought of only one way. A dangerous way…but still a way. And now, feeling the loneliness that had been born inside himself when he'd watched Yugi walk away from him, he knew what he was going to do, despite the risk. Silently, he turned and ran off toward the desks to reserve a last-minute spot on the next plane at whatever the cost, and once he had, he dashed for his car. He had a lot to do, and he only had two hours.

Because the next flight to Los Angeles left in two hours.

And he wouldn't miss it for the world.

To Be Continued…

Author's Notes:

About the Yugioh Series End Rumour: Okay, I realized I opened a can of worms with mentioning that in Ch. 02. Causing worldwide panic was not my intent, and I'm sorry! People have been asking me about it a lot, so I'm going to just type in here the exact context in which I heard it, okay? I read it in Beckett Yugioh Collector, issue 19. Someone wrote to them, asking if the dub would bring the Kaibacorp Grand Prix, Memory Arc, or Ceremonial Battle to the US. And this was their answer: "We do know that there will be one more fifth and final season of Yugioh shown on KidsWB this fall. Whether or not there will be any other Yugioh series or specials after that remains to be seen."
Now, I have my theories about why and how they're planning to handle this, but I shan't voice them yet since they're just that. Theories. I hope this clears things up for some of you.

"In public in Japan": In Japan, outward displays of emotion, (such as madly glomp-attacking a friend or bursting into hysterical tears), are not considered proper etiquette and generally looked down upon by the 'respectable' class. So, while it was bad enough that they were looking gay, it was even more taboo because of the country they were in.

Bakura the hit man: Yep, Bakura might be with Ryou in this fic, but he's still got his guns! (If you've ever read the character of Bakura in my fics before, you understand this.) xD Had to throw it in.

Tea and Mariku: I like this couple! For some reason, it's cute. Besides, I can see Tea being one of the people that would forgive Marik for all the stuff he did.

Well, at least this chapter was longer than the last one! This was a challenge. I worked really hard on that scene in Yami's room. Their first night together! And possibly their last, thus adding to the drama. I wanted it to be tender and sweet, yet also solemn, and at the same time, not turn it into one of those nasty graphic hentai scenes that scar people for life that writers chuck in just for sex appeal. X.x Heaven knows how much I hate those. Also, I wanted to be careful to keep this an emotive relationship, and not look as though Yami let Yugi stay with him just because he wanted to sleep with him and no other reason. I seriously hate the portrayal of Yami as just lusting after Yugi with no other emotions behind it. Yeah…I have majour issues about that. Oh, VERY majour issues.

Because it was an essential scene, however, I worked hard to make it a special one for them, not one of those "gotta get these two in bed together before this chapter's over…I'll toss that in right here" scenes. You guys understand, right? Then again, why the hell am I going to such lengths to explain myself? Okay, new strategy…like this chapter, or die!

Darn it, don't you just hate prejudice? That's what this fic is all about, really. The unfairness of it. The "requiem" for innocent love. (A "requiem" is like a death song or eulogy, in case not knowing the vocab is getting in your way of understanding.)

So, Yami's flying off after Yugi…it's very sweet. We'll just see where this goes, next week. Oh, and by the way, it's true that flights often have last minute seats open, (at a higher price). Keep that in mind if you ever need to get someplace! (Just not during holidays.)

Oh! And excuse the long author's notes this time, please!

Replies:

Fallen-Angel-of-Repression: Teehee, yes, I was hoping for that reaction! Yaay…ah, well, it's true that your name is a depressive one. I'll try not to feel bad. Lots of angst…how fun! xD See ya around!

Atemu Yugi Lover34: O.O Ack, school! Good luck this year! Ha, I surprised you! Ah, but yes, I totally agree with what you're saying there. Drugs and drinking, okay, it's good for parents to put a stop to that sort of thing, but otherwise, kids need to learn on their own sometimes. Ah, no, it wasn't late at all! No worries. :niko:

Marikslildevil: Yaay, thank you:watery-eyed: I'm so glad! But of course, they're adorable together! So, so adorable…they just fit so well, you're quite right. Well…here's your answer as to how it will be continued…at least a little! xD You have to wait now to see. Ah, and you'll be happy to know that I'm NOT 100 percent sure. All I know is what I wrote up there at the start of the author's notes this chapter.

LiNes: Math class…ah, an excellent time to think up new pennames. YES. That's true! Technically I would think his grandfather should have the bigger say, really. Besides, they don't have a damn clue what they're doing. :shakes head: Well…no, but that's a good idea! Yeshhh…I like the accents. I suppose that sounds strange to you, but I love them. xD I have an accent fetish, I think. It's not just over the Aussie accents, though those DO make the higher part of the list. Ah…yes, it is probably TV's fault. Ooh…you went to download the AMV? I hope you enjoyed it!

OokamiHanyouGurl: xD Sorry! I'll try to update as soon as possible!

Kitten2Tiger: Yes! He's so mean. Grr…you got that right. I will!

Sansi: Oh no no, they shan't be getting off easy at all! I fully intend to torture them as much as possible…because I'm a sadist, I suppose. And cause the cute ones make the best victims for an angst-fanatic like myself. Ah, and be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Don't give me any ideas to make my cliffhangers worse! Not only would I end up giving you a heart attack over the suspense, but the other readers will probably come after you wielding sporks. (Which, when used correctly, can be quite painful as weaponry.) Ah, and you raise a good point, too. They're just looking at it as "gay", not as any sort of actual relationship, which a lot of people don't do, it seems. Yes…a very good point indeed!

Darkyami7: Hey, thanks! I feel so special…:watery-eyed: Sorry, but if anyone says something nice to me, I start to tear up in happiness. So pathetic…anyhoo, I'm glad you like the fic, though! xDD Oh, indeed, Yami angry is mad hot. He's so cool. :glance: xD Right on! And even if you got it in Japanese, it just isn't the same as watching it in a language that one can fully understand. So, let us hope, (and pray, if praying is your thing), that they will bring over an English version! Ooh, and also, I saw you reviewed for Drive to the Edge of the World, and I wanted to thank you for that, and all your kind words. :niko: It's sort of a shorter, sadder spin-off of the motivation that I got to write this fic.

Ookami-chan: Thank you so much for your kind words! I sent you the link to thevid, I hope you enjoyed it!

Cherry Romancer: YES! That's right, stand up for your rights! xD Ah, indeed, he showed very admirable restraint. Despite the fact that I am torturing them…I am also so very proud of the little buggers too. Aww…you n your cute scenes in your reviews. :niko: Your reviews never fail to make me squeel like a YamixYugi fangirl! xD

Faith68: Ah, I hear what you're saying. xD Originality is extremely important, and I like to stick with that mindset in fics. Yay, I was hoping that this would be something different! Yes…I'm making Yugi's father out to be quite the nasty, one-track-minded guy, eh? Still…Yugi and Yam can overcome anything! Right? Am I right? xD Thanks so much for the review, and I shall!

You Know Us: Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the mildew line! xDD But seriously, mildew it annoying. I'm sure you know! It is silent…but oh so annoying. But, mildew aside, I'm very glad that you're enjoying the sl. :niko: Oh yes, so much controversy…if this were an actual novel, it'd be on the "banned" list in no time! Still…can't complain, this is real life, (uh…in a way…), and it's important. Ah, yes, a mind crush-or several-would have been most useful. However…Yami doesn't have that power anymore. (Which, in retrospect, is good, since otherwise Yugi's dad would be dead right about now. Syahaha…) A longer chapter for you this time!

Koneko Hoshi: A very good question! If it had an answer…maybe I wouldn't be writing this. But either way, it's something I wonder about a lot. A sad, sad fact…but a fact nonetheless, and maybe someday the world will realize that different isn't bad.

Yami Yuugi: Yay, I'm glad! Ah, yep, I'm on DevART. I'm Twisted-Shadows there. I dunno if I know you or not…if I do, I'm sorry for not realizing I know you! xD Oooh, Yami all up in arms is such fun. He's so cool when it gets all protective…but at any rate, I'm very glad to see you're enjoying the fic, and thanks for putting a watch on it!

Neko Yoka: Thanks, I will!

Oh, and all of you signed the petition to allow author replies, right? You'd better if you want me to keep replying to you, otherwise I might not be allowed to anymore:cries: Well, I hope they'll let me, I like replying to you all!

Fifteen reviews for last chapter! Man, it's awesome! You guys rock! I just had to tell you that. :niko:

See you next week!